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Manitoba Drowning Report 2000 A review of Manitoba’s water-related fatalities in 1998 |
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Manitoba Drowning Report 2000 A review of Manitoba’s water-related fatalities in 1998 |
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The following statistics were compiled from aquatic fatalities in 1998. This information is provided to emphasize high risk aquatic activities and to encourage safe behavior. We hope Lifesaving Instructors will use this data to create realistic scenarios directed at high-risk, changeable behaviors.
1998 had a total of 26 drownings which broke down as follows:
In 1998, Manitoba experienced 26 drownings, a drop in the number of drownings from the previous year. As has become typical over the past decade, males have made up a majority of the drowning victims (81%) due to high-risk behavior. Children also make up a significant percentage of the drowning victims (42%) due principally to a lack of supervision by responsible adults. Tragedy can take only a second, and parents are reminded to keep their kids within arms reach at all times.
During 1998, 11 people who were under the influence of alcohol died in aquatic environments. The average blood alcohol level of these victims was .292 - almost 6 times the legal limit. The involvement of alcohol in aquatic fatalities continues to be a large factor every year. During the past 5 years, a total of 55 people have drowned while under the influence, almost 40% of the total fatalities. The Lifesaving Society has partnered with Labatt this year in WaterWise. This program is aimed at promoting safe alcohol-free boating across Manitoba.
In 1998, ten of the aquatic deaths in Manitoba took place in boats. The average age of these specific fatalities was 30, showing that no matter how much boating experience a person has, safety still must remain paramount. Effective immediately, all people born after April 1st, 1983 must have a Pleasure Craft Operator (PCO) card to drive any aquatic vehicles. Effective September 2002, all adults across the country who wish to operate boats under 4m in length must have their PCO card as well. The Lifesaving Society runs a Boat Operator Accredited Training course to certify people for pleasure craft operations. Additionally, Manitoba had its first Personal Watercraft death in 1998 - due to the size of the craft and the activities performed on it, safety is of paramount importance. Anyone under the age of 16 can no longer operate personal watercraft.
A reminder to all parents that children must be supervised at all times when in the water. While many locations are lifeguard supervised, it continues to be your responsibility to watch out for your child. In all places that do not have lifeguards, it is strongly recommended that parents keep their kids within arms reach, whether this be in bathtubs, lakes, beaches, rivers or any other body of water. Over the past 5 years a total of 21 children under the age of 4 in Manitoba have died in aquatic environments - 16 were playing near water, 9 were alone. Of the nine children left alone, 8 of them were left alone momentary (to answer the phone for example) when they drowned.
During 1998, 21 people drowned fully clothed. When going boating or doing any other aquatic activity, try to dress appropriately so that you will be able to keep yourself afloat if your boat capsizes. In case you become submerged with clothes on, keep them on as long as they are not weighing you down as they can help keep you warm. If you have no PFD and the clothes are bringing you down, remove them following these few steps: remove one clothing item at a time starting with boots or shoes. Keep the lighter items around you to help to keep you afloat (they can be filled with air by knotting the ends e.g. pants). Most people who drown didn't expect to get in the water.
In 79% of the drownings which have taken place in Manitoba over the past five years, the victim has been with somebody else. Had that other person been adequately trained in lifesaving procedures, they could have tried to save their friend. The Lifesaving Society offers a full range of aquatic programs to train people in how to save a life. Our Aquatic Emergency Care program offers a full first-aid course in addition to basic water rescue skills. The Swim Patrol programs are specially geared to younger learners (8-12), and our Bronze family of awards are stepping stones towards lifeguarding. Whatever your wants, there's a program to fit your needs. Contact your local aquatic facility for more information.
On Tuesday, July 14th, four year old Nenad Pandzic went to Birds Hill Park with his family. While his parents were setting up for an evening at the beach, he and his two brothers ran towards the water. Although Nenad was typically afraid of the water, he ventured into a deep portion of the lake and went under. His father was able to pull him out of the water, however he still needed to be resuscitated by Lorraine Sawchuk - a bystander also on the beach for the day. Shortly thereafter the beach patrol arrived and the boy's treatment was continued until he was picked up by the Selkirk ambulance service. He made a full recovery, however it reemphasizes the need to keep a close eye on all children while at the beach.
In July of 1998, Amanda Kimpinski successfully completed her Bronze Cross at the Roblin Aquatic Center. On August 6th, 1998, she was tubing behind her uncle's boat. He was thrown from the boat, hit his head and became semi-conscious. She was able to put a lifejacket around her 240 pound uncle, and tow him back to the tube she had been in. Eventually she was able to get him back to the boat and put him inside their boat. With the assistance of another boat operator and a nurse, the boat was towed to shore and an ambulance transported her uncle to the hospital where he was released the next day. This rescue story is a great example of how additional rescue training can help to save a life.
1. Always Wear a Life Jacket!
Choose it and use it! Only 5% of Canadian drowning victims were wearing a life
jacket or personal flotation device. One-quarter of boating drowning victims did not have
a lifejacket in the boat.
2. Boozing and Boating Don't Mix
Don't drink and drive your boat, snowmobile or car. Alcohol is involved in
36% of preventable water-related deaths in Canada. Alcohol adversely affects balance, judgement
and reaction time. Drugs also are involved in over 20% of aquatic deaths in Manitoba.
3. Drive Responsibly
Drive your powerboat, personal watercraft or snowmobile responsibly. Stay low,
drive at moderate speeds and be aware of changing weather conditions to avoid capsizing
or falling overboard. Falling overboard, capsizing and rough water are each involved in
one-third of fatal boating incidents. Drive with extreme caution and proper lights after
dark.
4. Learn to Swim!
Only 13% of the population takes formal swimming lessons. One-half of drowning
victims are non-swimmers.
5. Always Supervise Young Children
If you're not within arms' reach, you've gone too far! Young children under
the age of 4 have a high preventable drowning rate. Backyard pools, bathtubs, and drainage
ponds all claim youngsters' lives each year. These young victims have been left alone for
short periods of time. Children can support themselves for up to 20 seconds if they are
unable to swim. You must be your childrens' lifeguard!
6. Cold Water & Thin Ice Kills
Ensure the ice is thick enough for the activities you are doing. Prevent hypothermia
by dressing appropriately. Exposure to cold water/hypothermia is the leading cause of preventable
water related deaths after drowning and alcohol. Cold water is involved in one-quarter of
preventable water-related deaths. Cold water robs body heat 10 times faster than air of
the same temperature.
7. Don't Go in the Water Alone
Never swim alone, even in a backyard pool. 2 out of 10 victims are alone when
they drown. When you do go swimming with others, watch out for each other. Many drownings
take place within a very small distance from the others.
8. Feet First - First Time
Feet first, first time! Approximately 35 Canadians become paralyzed each year
from water related incidents resulting in spinal injuries. Most of these incidents occur
while diving into shallow water.
9. Play and Swim in Supervised Areas
99% of drowning deaths occur in situations without lifeguard supervision.
10. Learn Lifesaving Skills
Two-thirds of Canadian victims could swim - learning to swim is not enough.
Take a Lifesaving Society water rescue course such as Swim Patrol, Bronze Medallion or Aquatic
Emergency Care at your local aquatic facility. 80% of people who drown are with at least
one other person when it occurs. Learn rescue skills to be able to safely help others.
The Lifesaving Society acknowledges assistance in preparing The Manitoba Drowning Report from:
Research for Manitoba Report done by: Liz Speers & Evelyn Bicknell
Layout and Articles done by: Kyle Quinn